IN MEMORIAM

Reed Holdaway, 1917-2009

Reed Holdaway died on February 28, 2009, at age
91. Born on June 7, 1917, to Elmer and Mary Ellen
Holdaway in Vineyard, Utah, he attended schools in
Vineyard and Orem, where he met his future wife, Mar-
garet, and graduated from Lincoln High School.
As a boy, he announced his desire to be a ‘‘tooth doc-
tor.’’ He attended the University of Utah and graduated
with honors from the University of Southern California
Dental College. He became interested in orthodontics
and studied with Roscoe Keedy of Grand Junction, Col-
orado, considering him the finest orthodontist he ever
knew. Reed credited the Utah Study Club as his main
source of professional guidance in 40 years of practice.
An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, he had a deep and abiding faith and
a strong testimony, which sustained him through life’s
challenges. He served as Sunday school president,
bishop, and stake high councilor, and was a counselor
Reed Holdaway
in a bishopric in his 80s.
After 70 years of life together, Reed’s wife Margaret
passed away March 30, 2008. They are survived by their Reed never had the conceit of a guru who craved dis-
children and their spouses: Karen Miller, Don and Bar- ciples and adherence to his technique; rather, in his quiet
bara Holdaway, Susan and Douglas Robinson, Claudia but unmistakable manner, he gave sound advice, and,
and Max Dastrup, Craig and Jane Holdaway, Nora and then more importantly, he gave us ourselves. Gathering
Clark Bishop, 28 grandchildren and 49 great-grand- fame and slavish true believers was foreign to him; thus,
children. He was preceded in death by parents, sisters his great gifts and talent were all the more impressive.
Lucille Orme and Aileen Jones, brother Harold, son Lee Reed published little professionally and was content to
Kae, and granddaughter Kristen Holdaway. let his work speak for itself. When he did produce an article,
Like many of my generation, I first came to know Reed it was precise and useful. People the world over admired
through his professional contributions. But I soon came to and emulated his experience, insights, and perceptions,
know him personally in the Rocky Mountain Society of Or- and he had an international reputation for uncommon pro-
thodontists. From the time I first heard him speak and dis- ficiency and excellence that persists to this day. I doubt
play his splendid results, I was determined to be like him. whether anyone will ever surpass his understanding and
Has orthodontics ever produced a more authentic, skill in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.
clear-thinking, and unpretentious personality? I think I have tried to explain what made Reed Holdaway
not. Reed was the finest orthodontist of his generation, so special, but words can never capture the essence of
and the icons of our specialty eagerly sought his wise a man so rare. Certainly, his life-long devotion to Mar-
counsel and knowledge. He was like a professional Po- garet and intense love for his family, his commitment to
laris—never seasonal, always giving direction and pur- his patients, his scholarship in service to his specialty,
pose to our lives. We could turn to him in our confusion and his fidelity to friends all contributed to this extraor-
and receive his generous, unselfish wisdom and experi- dinary man.
ence that always brought new clarity and joy to ortho- Reed was the pillar of fire before the camp, and now
dontics. Our specialty and patients profited immensely his family, friends, and colleagues stand bereaved and
from his sharing, which he said was due primarily to chilled in the dark for awhile but are confident that his
the encouragement and indulgence of Margaret, his legacy of kindness, fidelity, high purpose, and generos-
life-long companion and helpmate. ity will reignite our personal commitments and enliven
Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2009;135:685
our service to others.
0889-5406/$36.00
Copyright Ó 2009 by the American Association of Orthodontists.
Larry White
doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2009.03.018 Dallas, Tex
685